Explore Lawndale and the area around Douglas Park with our guide to the neighborhood's best restaurants and things to do

Chicago's West Side neighborhood of Lawndale is full of history. Once a hub for Eastern Europeans, the area eventually became a center for the Civil Rights Movement when Martin Luther King Jr. lived there in 1966 while campaigning against housing discrimination. Today, the neighborhood is home to plenty of great restaurants, one of the best breweries in the city and one of the city's biggest music festivals, Riot Fest. Head to the beautiful West Side neighborhood and enjoy all of the culture and fun it has to offer. Here's the best of the neighborhood.

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This a great neighborhood to see the oldest buildings, parts of history, see change, meet friendly people. The Douglas Park has a lagoon where people actually fish! There is a track where folks can get their exercise while walking or running. So many beautiful trees with gorgeous leaves in the fall! Plenty of murals everywhere you look. This neighborhood is where the huge SEARS business used to be. Many of the old SEARS buildings are still here, including the original tower. There used to be a huge Jewish population living here, and many of the old synagogs are still here. If you love greystones- this neighborhood has the most greystone homes of any Chicago has to offer. Many of the current residents have relatives who moved up to Chicago from the southern part of U.S. and generations have remained in the neighborhood. Many original blues musicians lived and played here as did many of the civil rights activists. Not only did Martin Luther King live here & work here at one time, but Barack Obama worked there too! It is easy to access the neighborhood by public transportation. The pink line runs right through the area. Get off at the Kedzie pink line stop and walk 2 blocks to the Douglas Park. In addition, it borders Little Village- walk to Cermak Rd. and begin to enjoy all the great Mexican food restaurants!